Gracie Barra Tarzana

“This is my third time visiting Gracie Barra Tarzana from overseas, and each time I walk in, I feel even more welcome than the last. There’s something special about this place, it’s not just a gym, it’s a warm and supportive community that immediately makes you feel safe and comfortable. As a woman visiting from abroad and still fairly new to BJJ, I’ve felt incredibly uplifted by the number of strong, dedicated women training here. The atmosphere is serious yet encouraging, and the mutual support among the girls, including toward me , has been genuinely heartwarming. Professor Edwin’s classes are a highlight: technical, structured, and always taught with humility and care. He creates a learning environment where everyone, regardless of level, feels seen and guided. If you’re looking for a place to train that blends skill, community, and kindness. GB Tarzana is the place to be!”

“Best gym!! Sooo super clean with the best team! The instructors are soo amazing with kids and do the best job! Been at this location for years now and it's always so consistent. They really go above and beyond. Love our GB family!!!”

“We truly wanted Gracie Barra to work for our family. Having been part of a Gracie Barra school in another state, we were excited to rejoin the community and have our child learn jiu-jitsu in what seemed to be a positive and supportive environment. For the most part, the gym lived up to that expectation—until one deeply troubling experience changed everything. We had a serious issue with one coach who handled a situation with our child in a way that was angry, aggressive, and completely unprofessional. After speaking with the manager, we were told that the coach had acknowledged his mistake, wanted to apologize, and that a black belt had witnessed the event and agreed it was unacceptable. We were even informed that the coach might be let go as a result. However, when we met with him, he showed no remorse. He was dismissive, confrontational, and made it clear he had no intention of offering a genuine apology. He stated, "I’m not a psychologist or a babysitter," which we never expected him to be. What we did expect was basic respect and the emotional maturity required to work with children. Instead, he expressed anger toward a child who was still learning to manage their emotions—something he himself clearly struggled with. It was particularly upsetting to witness him physically handle our child by the belt in a way that felt aggressive, not corrective. I’ve seen coaches redirect children appropriately and firmly, but this was different. The contradiction of demanding emotional control from a child while displaying none himself was deeply concerning. Gracie Barra promotes the idea that "Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone" and emphasizes commitment to learning and personal growth. Most of the coaches we've encountered there embody that mission with patience, kindness, and professionalism. Unfortunately, Brandon does not reflect those values. What’s more disappointing is that we were led to believe there would be accountability and a resolution. Instead, we were met with hostility and indifference from someone who openly said he doesn't get paid enough to care. While our overall experience with the facility was mostly positive, the way this incident was handled—both by the coach and the follow-up—left us deeply unsettled.”

“This is the gym you want to come if you want high quality learning and training partners with out any ego. I have been training for over 12 years and am so grateful to have found this place after moving to Los Angeles. With out a doubt the best jiu jitsu gym I have tried in Los Angeles”

“***This business has NO business working with kids. The instructor BRANDON is rude, unprofessional, and completely lacking in patience or basic respect. Instead of fostering a positive environment, they talk down to parents and treat children like they’re a problem. They clearly have no understanding of child behavior and even less interest in learning. If your child isn’t perfectly obedient 100% of the time, don’t expect any support — just blame, attitude, and condescending comments. Save yourself the stress and take your child somewhere that actually cares about kids and respects parents.”